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Referee: Strebre Delovski

BLUFFER’S GUIDE

A top-two finish is priceless for so many reasons, not least historically – all nine previous A-League winners finished first or second in the regular season.

Less than a month ago at the same venue, Sydney FC shot out to a 3-0 half-time lead which was never relinquished as Graham Arnold got his tactics spot-on.

Phoenix – without Nathan Burns and Michael McGlinchey – were unable to find any goal-scoring edge or passing fluidity and Sydney went home with all three points.

It’s impossible to over-state just how much is riding on this match with a free-pass into the semi-finals up for grabs.

These two may well meet again during the finals, meaning a win for either would not only secure home advantage for that potential clash, but give them a psychological edge as well.

OPTA DATA STATS

Sydney FC are undefeated away from home this season with nine wins and four draws, including winning their past seven on the road. In away games in 2014/15, they’ve outscored their opponents 31 – 13.

Despite conceding eight goals in their last three games in Wellington, the Phoenix are second only to Melbourne City FC in keeping clean sheets at home this season.

Phoenix’s 0-3 home defeat to Sydney FC in March ended a run of 11 successive games (home and away) in which they’d scored against them. It was Sydney’s second victory in their last three trips to Wellington, following a run of five straight defeats there.

ROUTE TO GOAL

Despite combining for 29 goals this season, Golden Boot leaders Marc Janko (16) and Nathan Burns (13) have been less prolific recently with neither finding the net in their last four matches.

International duty meant neither played in Sydney’s 3-0 win over Wellington a month ago, but Burns bagged a brace in the 2-0 win in Sydney just before Christmas. Meanwhile, Wellington is one of only two sides (along with Adelaide United) who Janko hasn’t scored against in his debut A-League season.

Both sides also have impressive support casts to their main men.

Sky Blues captain Alex Brosque has been in superb form with four goals in the last two games, while Bernie Ibini is enjoying arguably his best A-League season.

Phoenix super-sub Kenny Cunningham took his career A-League goals tally into double figures last weekend, while Roy Krishna, Roly Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey always need to be closely watched by opposition defenders.

WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?

Key men Nikola Petkovic and Mickael Tavares will return from their respective injuries to be available for Sydney FC in this key clash.